Keychron Q1 Pro keyboard review: Simply unbeatable

Price When Reviewed

$199

Best Prices Today: Keychron Q1 Pro Keyboard

Keychron began out making wi-fi, Mac-focused mechanical keyboards that had been, no less than for me, fairly underwhelming. Then the corporate shifted into high-end, enthusiast-focused keyboards, such because the Keychron Q5, which has all the trimmings of a small-batch boutique construct, however at about half the value. This is the corporate’s candy spot, and it’s been enhancing on that ever since. Now we’ve come full circle: The Q1 Pro is Keychron’s first high-end, all-metal board so as to add Bluetooth.

Note: See our roundup of the best wireless gaming keyboards to study competing merchandise, what to search for in a wi-fi gaming keyboard, and shopping for suggestions.

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And rattling it if it isn’t nearly good. The Q1 Pro combines the ultra-popular 75% format, high-end supplies like an all-aluminum case and a rotary dial, and boutique options like gasket mounting and VIA/QMK programming. And it’s wi-fi. It’s every little thing you need in a high-end construct, with nearly no sacrifices. And as ordinary, the worth is thrashing absolutely the pants off of the competitors.

There are solely two causes I can consider to not suggest the Q1 Pro to a mechanical keyboard fan. One, you demand 2.4GHz, gaming-grade wi-fi. Or two, you merely wish to watch for Keychron to carry Bluetooth to one of its other, many Q-series keyboard layouts. For everybody else: go purchase one.

A well-known look

If you’ve learn any of our earlier Keychron opinions right here on PCWorld, what to anticipate. The Q1 Pro includes a compact 75% format with full arrow keys and performance row, plus an non-compulsory rotary dial improve. It’s clad in an aluminum case that feels prefer it might stand in for any of the homicide weapons in a sport of Clue. (Read: It’s actually heavy and difficult.) And typing on it, particularly with the included high-profile PBT keycaps, is heavenly.

Michael Crider/IDG

There are solely two main departures from the principle Q sequence. One, there’s a really clear antenna part on the higher a part of the case. This is principally only a gap within the aluminum to carry the Bluetooth antenna—you may see the cable going to the wi-fi chip when you crack it open. And two, Keychron changed the metallic help plate beneath the switches with a plastic one, presumably to spice up wi-fi vary but once more.

The change makes the keys flex way more noticeably beneath heavy typing. That is perhaps a plus when you actually just like the squishy give of a gasket mount, the little bits of froth that “suspend” the plate in between the metallic elements of the board. If not, that is perhaps the one change from the older Q1 that you simply actually don’t like within the Pro.

Michael Crider/IDG

Other adjustments from the usual Q1 are more durable to identify. There’s an enormous 4,000mAh battery hidden beneath every little thing, which you received’t discover until you disassemble every little thing. And Keychron eliminated the choice for Gateron Pro switches, instead offering K Pro switches in linear Red (as in our overview unit), tactile Brown, or stiffer tactile Banana (which additionally removes the stabilizing corridor impact). The new switches really feel rather less easy than the Gaterons, however since Keychron gives the keyboard in a barebones equipment with none switches in any respect, I’m loath to complain about it.

Dedicated antenna for Bluetooth

Let’s check out the work Keychron did to facilitate Bluetooth in that large metallic case. Unlike comparable all-metal wi-fi keyboards that simply form of take care of the lowered vary, Keychron’s devoted antenna makes this a keyboard designed from the bottom up for wi-fi. The Q1 Pro maintained its Bluetooth connection to my desktop two rooms away, and even once I stepped out on my entrance porch, a stable 40 toes and three partitions from the pc. Keychron took the wi-fi improve severely.

Michael Crider/IDG

The different part in a wi-fi construct is the battery, and Keychron didn’t skimp there, both. The 4,000mAh unit hidden beneath the keys can deal with a stable couple of weeks with the RGB lighting on, and with them off…I don’t know, as a result of my overview interval doesn’t final that lengthy. Months, on the very least, if my expertise constructing wi-fi boards is something to go by. When it’s essential cost up, the bundle features a good-looking braided USB-C wire, together with alternate keycaps, further gaskets, disassembly instruments, and keycap and key swap puller.

Michael Crider/IDG

You may wish to plug in when you’re utilizing the Q1 for gaming, by the best way. While its wi-fi powers are completely nice, even for switching between a number of machines, they’re not notably quick. A typical lag and occasional stutter is noticeable, and completely typical for Bluetooth. Plugged in, the keyboard operates at 1,000Hz, ok for everybody besides a “pro” gamer. A dedicate 2.4GHz dongle would have alleviated this…however to be truthful, Keychron has by no means marketed its wi-fi boards as meant for gaming.

Incredible options, unbelievable worth

There are simply too many options within the Q1 Pro to explain in prose. Here’s the bullet-point model:

• All-aluminum chassis
• Double gasket mount—this offers the keys slightly flex and “bounce”
• Doubleshot PBT KSA-profile keycaps—tall, old school keycaps that can by no means put on the legends down
• Two layers of sound-absorbing foam
• Hot-swappable switches—swap out the important thing switches for something within the Cherry MX format
• QMK and VIA programming—straightforward customized programming for all keys and lighting, no proprietary software program mandatory

Most of these things is normal within the premium keyboard house at this level, minus the wi-fi possibility. For instance, the GMMK Pro has just about all of those options, plus RGB side-lighting. But that board lacks wi-fi, and its barebones model is sort of the identical value because the non-tricked out Q1 Pro. With switches and keycaps, it’s greater than $100 dearer, extra in step with the boutique boards these designs are primarily based on. Ditto for the Drop Sense75. Other options on this kind issue, just like the Keydous NJ80 or the Epomaker TH80, use far cheaper supplies, and programming is a chore if it’s potential in any respect.

Michael Crider/IDG

In brief, Keychron as soon as once more has probably the most options in a premium keyboard for the bottom value. There aren’t lots of keyboards available on the market that straight compete with the Q1 Pro, besides, it stands head and shoulders above different choices.

Simply unbeatable

I’m a self-confessed keyboard snob. I’ve put tons of of hours and an embarrassing amount of cash into the pastime, together with greater than $500 on my major, self-built board. And saying all that, the Q1 Pro might be higher than what I can construct for myself.

Michael Crider/IDG

It’s stable as could be, full of high-quality {hardware} from prime to backside, stuffed filled with premium options, and but by some means remains to be cheaper than each comparable possibility. The barebones version starts at $179, if you wish to use your personal key switches and caps. The absolutely assembled model is $200, and nearly untouchable (figuratively—you may contact all of it you need!) for a high-end wi-fi board.

Gamers who demand high-speed wi-fi will lament the shortage of a devoted dongle, and those that need a bigger or smaller kind issue may wish to wait for brand spanking new entries within the Q Pro sequence. But for everybody else, the Q1 Pro is solely the perfect premium Bluetooth keyboard available on the market.